Buying a used car, looking for advice

[BiggusGeekus]

OK, I know that I want a used Honda Accord. For some reason I can't find any 2003 models, just 2002 and 2004. My car is a '97 Saturn with about 120,000 miles on it. The breaks are wearing out. It's probably not safe to drive. I either buy new brakes this weekend or I buy a used car.

Any advice?

 

[DaveMage]

Start here (NADA Guide):

http://www.nadaguides.com/autohome2.aspx?Lnk=1&wSec=10&wPr=0&wPg=2111

Once you settle on a car you like, run the VIN through the site as well and see if it has any sort of accident history, etc.

Also remember, you have a LOT of flexibility when it comes to buying a used car. You should be able to purchase a used car for less than the amount it's supposedly worth in the NADA guide.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Thanks for the link!

 

[diaglo]

open up the hood. look at the engine. kick the tires. that always impresses the ladies.

 

[JoeBlank]

If the brakes are the only problem, fix 'em and keep driving the Saturn.

I drive a '95 Saturn with 139K miles on it, and still going strong. I've always hated blowing money on cars. If it gets me where I want to go, I'll keep driving it until the wheels fall off.

 

[James Heard]

Agreed, it's for certain that new tires will cost you less than a used car unless that used car is of the matchbox variety. I used to drive a 81 Regal with 230k+ miles on it, a feat achieved by replacing the engine in 1992 with a cheap but perfectly fine one I got in a junkyard from some guy who probably had one helluva bad day. You can't do that the same way these days thanks to the way new cars are designed, but you can surely afford to replace your brakes without breaking the bank. They even have coupons in the paper for that sort of crap to let other people do it for you while you read 3 year old Car & Driver magazines in the lounge.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

If the brakes are the only problem, fix 'em and keep driving the Saturn.

I'd love to, but there's no room for a child seat back there.

 

[Blue_Kryptonite]

http://www.carfax.com/. I won't buy a used vehicle without it. Very thourough.